Zesco to face ASEC in 2018 Champions League pre-group stage

Zesco United will travel to Cote d’Ivoire next month to play ASEC Mimosa in both sides battle for a place in the 2018 CAF Champions’ League group stages.

Zesco on Wednesday secured their pre-group phase spot following a 7-0 home win over Zanzibar champions JKU at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to advance by the same aggregate score line following a 0-0 away draw in the first leg played on February 10 in Zanzibar.

Ghana-born striker Adams Zikiru scored four goals on his Zesco debut in the 3rd, 42nd, 57th and 60th minutes to help propel the Ndola club to the pre-group phase of the 2018 CAF Champions League.

Lazarus Kambole scored one in the 36th minute and Winston Kalengo added the 6th in the 77th minute, just ten minutes after coming on for Zikiru.

Kalengo then won an 88th minute penalty that was converted by Zambia Under-20 midfielder Lameck Banda who also scored his debut goal since joining Zesco on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns in January.

Zesco will host Mimosa on March 7 in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola while the final leg is set for March 17.

ASEC booked their March date against Zesco following a 3-2 home win on Wednesday in Abidjan over Benin side Buffles to advance 4-3 on aggregate.